Metro East Sun

Republican state House hopeful Amy Elik wonders when Gov. J.B. Pritzker will finally be willing to put people over ideology.

“While Illinois Democrats led by Gov. Pritzker continue to push their progressive income tax, Illinois families and small businesses continue to suffer,” Elik told the Metro East Sun. “They continue to ignore cries for structural reforms that will lead to an improved business climate in favor of simply raising taxes on the wealthy and middle classes.”

Running against incumbent state Rep. Monica Bristow (D-Alton) in the 111th District, Elik fears it’ll only be more of the same should the governor get his way with his signature legislation. A new Illinois Policy Institute analysis projects that small businesses across the state soon could be forced to pay as much as a 50.3% marginal income tax rate should the tax appearing on the Nov. 3 ballot in the form of a referendum question garner the support it needs for passage. Ignoring growing warnings from many that the tax stands to handcuff small business owners even more, the governor continues to push his signature proposal as one that will only mean higher tax rates for the state’s most affluent residents.

At around 60% of net job creation, small business owners currently rank as the state’s biggest job creators. But those numbers could soon be on the decline, with researchers finding an increase in the top marginal tax rate could mean a slide in the hiring practices of entrepreneurs and slumping earnings for workers.

Elik warns the list setbacks don’t end there.

“Should the progressive tax pass, it will lead to further out migration from Illinois, especially in border districts like my own,” she said. “Instead we need to heed the cries and work to lower taxes for small businesses and families. We need to work to cut the wasteful spending and focus our energies on passing truly balanced budgets that support those who need it most.”

Elik has long cautioned residents to think things through before rushing to react to the governor’s claim that the tax will only mean higher rates for the state’s richest residents.

“Gov. Pritzker has placed his bets that the amendment will solve our fiscal problems when in reality it will compound them,” she said. “Instead, we need to support our current flat tax. At the same time, we need to pass fiscally sound budgets that support our most vulnerable citizens, rather than giving legislators pay raises.”